Leader: God of hope and compassion, we ask that everyone may be free to serve you in truth and grace. We remember our foremothers who recognized that a person of faith must have the courage to act upon injustices. For them we say…
All: We remember.
Leader: Let us remember the women of Scripture who assumed leadership in difficult circumstances and became role models for us. For them we say…
All: We remember.
Leader: Let us remember the women who have face the unknown in faith and have met fear with courage, who dared to step forward and lead, who challenged stereotypes of society and accepted the consequences. For them we say…
All: We remember.
Leader: We remember the fourteen women who were killed in Montreal, especially the engineering students who chose to pursue non-traditional professions and paid for it with their lives (Each of 14 candle holders say the name of one of the women and then blows out her/his candle): Geneviève Bergeron; Hélène Colgan; Nathalie Crouteau; Barbara Daigneault; Anne-Marie Edward; Maud Haviernick; Barbara Maria Klucznik; Maryse Laganière; Maryse Leclair; Anne-Marie Lemay; Sonia Pelletier; Michèle Richard; Annie St-Arneault; Annie Turcotte. For them we say…
All: We remember.
Leader: We remember the families, friends, colleagues and peers whose lives were profoundly changed by the deaths of these young women. For them we say.
All: We remember.
Leader: We pray for all women who have died of violence, and we mention now the names of some… (people may call out names) and for those we name in our hearts… (silent prayer). For them we say… (as the last candle is blown out)
All: We remember.
Leader: We pray for all women who have survived violence, that they will have the courage and strength to reach out for the support they need to make their lives safe and whole. For them we say…
All: We remember.
Leader: We pray for those individuals and systems that perpetrate violence, that they will be challenged to seek healing and wholeness, forgiveness and accountability. For them we say…
All: We remember.
Leader: We pray, too, for all victims of terrorism and way, especially for those who have died since September 11th of this year. For them we say…
All: We remember.
Leader: We pray for each other, our families and friends; we pray for those in the helping professions and in our government services. We pray for all who give physical, emotional, and spiritual guidance to victims, and for all who work to change the cycle of abuse and violence. For them we say…
All: We remember. Compassionate God, we remember all these and ask that they be held safely in your loving arms. We pray for God’s love and justice to heal our hurt and to bring us to that day when women no longer live with fear and your whole creation moves toward wholeness, justice and peace. Amen.
Adapted from December 6th Services Worship Resources provided by Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada.
